Sewing-machine



(No Model.)

J. BIGELO'W.

I SEWING MACHINE. No. 331,027.

Patented NOV. 24, 188 5.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @rrron.

JOHN BIGELOW, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SEWlNG-MAGHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,02'Ldated November24, 1885.

Application filed October 22, 1685. Serial No. 180,591.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHNBIGELOW, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the bottom of the machine. Fig. 2 is a frontelevation of the face-plate,showing the needle and needle-bar,presser-foot,and part of the device for making the stitch zigzag orirregular. Fig. 3 is a side view of the neck (broken) of the machine,and shows the connection of the irregular-stitch device with itsactuating mechanism. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of theirregular-stitch-actw ating mechanism. Figs. 5 and 6 are details showingthe parts for reciprocating the needle adapted to act on both of itssides. Fig. 7 is a detail showing the means for adjusting theneedle-gage point.

This case is a division of my application for patent filed August 7,1883, Serial No. 103,057, and the features of novelty herein embracedrelate to the construction and operation of the needle-vibrating devicesor mechanism, all as will be now more fully and specifically set out andexplained, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The devices covered in this case relate more particularly to mechanismadapted to produce a zigzag or irregular stitch. By this invention,alternately with each stitch when the needle has risen free from thework, its point is first pressed to one side of its true line of descentand held until it has penetrated the work. Then at the next stitch theneedle-point is allowed to take its regular course in entering the work,or it may be pressed in the opposite direction.

The strip or spring bar W is attached at w to the face-plate O, andextends down to a narrow point, W, in line of the needle S, and raisedsufficiently above the work-plate A not to interfere with thepresser-foot when lifted. The piece W is also attached to the neck ofthe machine in such a position that its point WV shall be opposite to W.The point W may be made adjustable by being slotted at the point (Nomodel.)

W where it is secured to the body of the machine, and serves as a gageto determine the distance the needlepoint shall be pressed out of itstrue line, and consequently the amount of the zigzag.

The point W of the spring-strip W is reciprocated to the right or leftof the line of the feed alternately with each stitch, and receives itsmotion through the bar W attached to it at W and connected through thepost \V with a cross-head, WV as shown in Fig. at, reciprocated by ablock, W", which slides in it, and is actuated by an eccentric,W, on agear-Wheel, W meshing in the proportion of two to one in a smaller gear,WV, on the revolving vertical shaft L, as shown in Fig. 1. I do not,however, limit myself to the device described for obtaining thealternate vibration ofthe springbar W at its point W since any of thewellknown devices may be used.

In operation, the needle being raised to its highest point, and by meansof the eccentric W and connecting parts the bar being drawn to itsfarthest point back, the point WV of the spring-bar W is pressed againstthe point of the needle S, which in turn is deflected from its true line(the needle-bar remaining in its usual position and bearings) againstthe gage point W Thus pressed, the needle descending enters the work atone side of its true line of movement. The strain on it by the point \Vmay be then released bya counter movement of the bar W through theaction of the ecccentric WV Since the line of deflection of the needleis the same as that of the movement of the looper It the formation ofthe stitch is not interfered with. The needle being again raised to itshighest point, the point W of the spring-bar WV, through the reverseaction of the eccentricWV, being carried away clear from the needle, itsprings back to its true or natural line and enters the work to one sideof its previous point of penetration.

If desired, the gage W can be arranged to act on both sides of theneedle, and the point of the needle deflected each stitch alternately tothe right and to the left of the line of penetration by the needle,where its point is not sprung to one side, thus increasing the amount ofthe irregularity of the stitch over the method shown,where dependence isplaced on the resilience of the needle to return after being dethespring-bar W. Not only is the pressure relieved at W, but as the needleis rigidly secured at the end opposite to its point in the end of theneedle-bar, which operates in fixed bearings as it descends to itslowest point, by the increasing stiffness of its part in contact withthe work, it obliges the fabric to yield, and so it recovers in a greatmeasure its true or natural position.

The needle-throat of the work-plate may be beveled on its upper side, sothat the point of the needle,if thrown too far, shall be drawn back intothe needle-hole.

This principle of making an irregular stitch can be used for makingbutton-holes or fancy sewing, such as the Grecian stitch and otherforms, having suitable operative mechanism therefor. It may be usedequally well with a shuttle or other stitch -forming mechanism whichmoves in a line similar to the vibrating of the needle.

Having now described my invention, what I consider new, and wish tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination,with the stitch-forming mechanism of asewing-machine, of a device to spring and deflect the point of theneedle before entering the work, and a gage to determine the amount ofsuch deflection, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with the needle of a sewing-machine, a spring-bar, W,having a free end, W, provided, as described, with means for vibratingthe same across the vertical line of the needle movement, whereby theneedlepoint may be deflected, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN BIGELOW. Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, JAS. GREENWOOD.

